Excellent Claudia, Thank you and Merry Christmas!

If I had the message that I deleted - I would put it back. I dont have it anymore.
--Ðøug ™ 2005.12.10.19.36.22 PT

[ December 10, 2005, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Doug Meister ]

I'm sorry that I dont have the message that I deleted - or I'd put it back.
--Ðøug ™ 2005.12.10.19.38.31 PT

[ December 10, 2005, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: Doug Meister ]

I have had recent contacts with a pagan and she is well aware to what an extent Christmas has much of its origins and practices in paganism. Claudia's quotes from the SOP were instructive in that there is a definite emphasis by Inspiration on the fact that we should not celebrate Christmas as do others.

Personally, I believe it is of prime importance that onlookers be aware that Adventists (if I understand it correctly) do not consider Xmas as a holy day but rather as a holiday and one from which we can profit as described in Claudia's quotes.

Christmas will soos be here again, therefore, I have brought this topic closer to the top of the list of topics.

Let me just make a few comments. First off - a decorated tree is pagan. Santa Claus is, well Santa Claus teachings and is anti Christian. And most important of all: Where are we instructed by GOD to celebrate Christs birth? We celebrate our births but that might be do to pagan influence. What we should really be celebrating or looking up to is the DEATH ON THE CROSS of Jesus. But a harmless baby in swadling clothes in a manger is easier to accept. People just dont like to look at the cross.
--Ðøug 2005.12.10.19.50.18 PT

Just because something is of pagan origin does not make it wrong.

Redfog

We had a good sermon on this last Sabbath. The pastor brought up 1st Corinthians 8 as a comparison. That's about food offered to idols, and whether or not Christians can eat that food. It depends. If you don't believe spirits live in wood and stone, it's nothing to you whether or not any food was offered to one. It does nothing to you and it's okay to eat it. Likewise, with Christmas, I've always been taught Santa is just a story and not real. I've always known December 25 was not the real birthday of Christ, but that Christmas is just a time of beauty and gift giving. I have no trouble about Christmas except for the over-commercializing and excessive revelry. But why throw the baby out with the bathwater? Even Sister White explains a wholesome way to experience Christmas, especially for children. I've seen children so held down from the slightest enjoyment of any holiday that they grow up with deep resentment and go absolutely wild just as soon as they're old enough to get away. Pity that people get so wrapped up in the bad stuff from a thousand years back that they can't get to the current holiday meanings so different. But if it is an evil thing to them still, that should be respected, as Paul explains in 1 Cor 8. I just feel really sad for their children.

Thank you for bringing this back up for the season.

I am surprised that dispite the new information that Christmas was celebrated 100 years earlier than we though (with the feast of the Announciation held 100 years before that on March 25 or April 6 depending on which calender) and that it was based on Jewish mythology not paganism would be of interest of people, but I guess the tradition of the pagan roots is too deeply trenched in our minds to be open to the fact that we have learned new informaton about the orgins of Christmas.

I am also surprised that no one wants to discuss the Biblical holiday for this time, the raising of Lazarus, and cellebrating the coming day when Jesus will say to our sleeping loved ones "Come Forth"

I hope people will read the very first post of this thread.

Greetings Kevin H,

I did read the information. However it did not change how we care for Christmas, which we do not honor this day with trimmings and all the elaborate gift giving.

quote:

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Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

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This day for me personally, is a day that I may give Christ Jesus by teaching the Good News. It is the most receptive day that those who have rejected truth all year long will take the time to listen. One day a year is so special when that is the only time some will listen. But with all things, we must be lead by the Holy Spirit to know where to go, what to say and what to do.

Your Sister in Christ Jesus,
Cheri Fritz